If you’re a creative person, you might be wondering if pencil drawings are valuable. While there are no guarantees that your pencil drawings will be valuable, there are steps you can take to make sure they will.
Value scales
Value scales for pencil drawings are a great way to improve your drawing skills. They allow you to identify midtones and highlights. This will help you create more realistic artwork. You can also use the value scale to help spot check your shading.
If you’ve ever had an art teacher, chances are that they’ve required you to draw a value scale. The value scale is a rectangular arrangement of boxes that represent the range of values in a drawing. A value scale can be made from scratch or it can be created using a ruler.
To make a value scale from scratch, start by making a rectangular shape that’s divided into five boxes. Fill in the first box with white and then fill in the second with the lightest value. Repeat this process for the next four boxes. After this, fill in the last box with black.
When making your value scale, remember that it’s important to keep in mind the range of graphite pencils you have. Your goal is to draw a smooth transition from dark to light. For example, you should not draw two tones that meet with a sharp edge.
Creating value scales is a great exercise for beginners. It is easy to do and will give you the confidence you need to tackle more difficult drawings in the future.
In addition to helping you create more realistic drawings, value scales will also improve your pencil shading skills. You’ll learn how to make smooth gradations and how to blend your lines into the value scale to create a seamless transition.
Using a value scale can also help you choose the right pencils for your drawings. You’ll be able to choose from HB pencils, which are a good choice for light sketches, to HB pencils, which are a better choice for technical drawings.
Identifying cast shadows
Cast shadows are the dark part of a drawing, caused by a solid object blocking the light from a light source. This helps the artist to create a three-dimensional effect. They can be used to give clues about the shape and form of an object.
One way to draw cast shadows is to sketch the outline of the object or subject with a white pencil. Then, draw a line from the shadow vanishing point to the bottom corners. Depending on the shape and orientation of the object, the line will vary. If the object is a person, for example, the lines will be drawn on the cheeks, chin, forehead and neck.
In addition to the obvious cast shadow, a dark spot on an object’s surface can be an indicator of the light source. Light sources are important to understanding how to draw shadows, as they help to define the shape and form of an object.
A good way to determine the light source is to find the areas that receive the least amount of light. Identifying these areas will help you to determine which areas need to be lighter.
Another method of determining the light source is to find the areas that are lighted from several directions. For example, if you are drawing a person’s face, you should include the shadows on the right side of the neck, as well as the shadows on the left side of the nose and mouth.
Having a basic knowledge of light and shadow will allow you to create more sophisticated drawings. In addition, composing a still life to take advantage of the cast shadows on other objects can be an excellent way to add dimension to a work.
Identifying midtone areas
Midtones are the area between the light and shadow, and they add depth and detail to a drawing. They help to create a sense of texture by describing the form of a subject. When drawing, you will need to know the rules of midtones, and how to identify them.
In a pencil drawing, you should start by creating a light outline of the object in question. This outline will provide the basis for your value scale. You can use a reference photo, or just sketch the light circle directly from the picture.
After you have completed your light outline, you can move to the midtone areas. You can either leave these areas blank, or make them slightly more detailed by using the edge of soft pastel or a vine charcoal stick. These two materials can be very intimidating for beginners, so start with a small, simple shape.
The midtones are the lightest areas of a composition, and you should be careful not to exaggerate the lightness of these areas. You should also use a lighter pressure when hatching them.
It is important to keep your shading clean and crisp. The best way to do this is to use the value scale. This will help you spot check the shading and see where you need to work on it.
Midtones are the areas of a drawing that receive more direct light. Areas that are lit by a center light will automatically produce the brightest midtones. However, it is important to remember that reflected light will be much lighter.
Identifying midtones in your pencil drawings will help you to identify areas that need to be darker. As your shading gets more complex, you will notice that the range of values increases.
Protecting them
You can protect pencil drawings with fixatives, wax paper, and page protectors. These techniques will make your drawing last for years.
Fixatives can be found at art supply stores. They help hold graphite to the paper while preventing fading and flaking. Fixatives also protect your work from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
A good quality fixative is essential to protecting your artwork. However, they are not always the best option. If you cannot afford to use a fixative, you can still protect your artwork with hairspray.
Hairspray is effective against dust and moisture. It can also help prevent smudging. But it is not a permanent solution. The chemicals used in most hairsprays do not provide a long-term solution.
You can also try applying a piece of frisket film to your charcoal or whites. This will help preserve the whiteness of your drawings.
Another way to preserve your artwork is to use a frame. If your drawing is fragile, a frame can provide the ultimate protection. A glass frame is a great choice for artists. Because of its ability to keep your drawing safe from smudging, a glass frame is the most effective way to keep your artwork intact.
Some artists also choose to laminate their drawings. However, lamination can cause your papers to expand, contract, and warp. Lamination also leaves your drawing with a reflective finish. So it’s not the best choice for long-term storage.
Finally, you can store your drawings in albums, portfolios, and boxes. Portfolios are excellent for loose paper. Boxes, folders, and bulldog clips can all be helpful in creating a storage portfolio that is appropriate for your pencil drawings.
While there are several options for protecting your pencil drawings, one of the best methods is to purchase a high-quality fixative.
Framing them
If you have a pencil drawing you want to display, you need to know how to frame it properly. Framing a drawing is important because it helps to keep it safe. A frame can prevent dust, airborne pollutants, and moisture from affecting the drawing. Also, the frame adds a certain size to the artwork.
The first step to framing a drawing is to remove the drawing from its original paper. There are several ways to do this. One way is to enclose the drawing in a piece of plastic. Another method is to place it between two sheets of glassine interleaving paper.
When mounting a drawing, you will need to use acid-free mat board. You will also need an acid-free double-sided tape and a spacer. These are important because they prevent the drawing from sliding into the glass.
The color of the mounting should match the color of the drawing. For example, if you are framing a white drawing, a pale coloured mount will complement the white paper.
Another thing you should keep in mind is that the mounting should not be too ornate. Too much ornamentation can make a small drawing look like an art installation. Many dealers prefer to display the edge of the paper.
It is also a good idea to choose a mat that is not too thick. Matting that is too thick can distract from the image. On the other hand, a thin mat can give a more contemporary feel to the artwork.
The frame itself should be simple. Often, the most expensive item is the UV-resistant glass. In addition, you should consider the type of wood you will be using.
The best option is to hire a professional framer. Although this may be more costly, you will have a better result. Your framer will be able to suggest the correct width for the mount, and they will use the best materials for the job.